Duplicating machine



March 2Q, 1934.

L. w. W AGN ER DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 25, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY March 20, 1934 w. WAGNER DUPLICATING MACHINE Filedoqt. 25; 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY March 20, 1934. L, w. WAGNER DUPLICATING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Wt. 25, 1929 INVENTOR [flirt 7'9 Wfignex ATTORNEYv L. WAGNER DUPLICATING MACHINE March 20; 1934;-

Filed 001:. 25, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR laafiwgzmy1zer ATTORNEY March 20, 1934. w. WAGNER 1,951,954

DUPLICATING momma Filed Oct. 25, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 4 2 410 116 L e t:

BY I

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 20,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DUPLICATING v Ludwig W. Wagner, San Antonio, 'lex., assignor to Ditto Virginia Incorporated, a corporation of West Application October 25, 1929, Serial No. 402,475

' 3'; Claims. (Cl. 101-132) matter to 'be copied is takenon by the ge- 'flatinous surface, after which the mastersheet is removed Blank sheets are then placed over the impression sheet and brought into intimate.

contact therewith bysuitable means such as a platen roller. a

Apparatus of the character stated as hereto-.

l5 fore provided may be-roughly divided into two broad classes; in the first class the bed is flat and the cooperating movable element or'platen roller' rolls over the bed rectilinearly; the other class is one in which the bed is of cylindrical form.

My invention in its complete aspect has to do principally with the cylindrical bed type of apparatus, though it may also be adapted to the flat bed type of apparatus. Since the preferred embodiments of my invention relate, however, to

tion and description to twoembodiments of the invention in the cylindrical type of machines.

In the cylindrical type of machines the printing band which receives the impression from the masso ter sheet,and later transfers it to the copy sheets,

- is stretched over the surface of a drum or cylinder,

' a surface covering of, canvas, felt or like materialto afford a suitable backing for the printing band, the curved form of the bed making the operation of drawing on a fresh surface diflicult' and likely to be attended by injury to the band itselfor to the winding, and unwinding mechanism. While A attempts have heretofore been made to avoid this culty theyhave not, in my opinion, proven al that is desired; it is therefore one of the objects of my invention satisfactorily to overcome such difliculty and render the band shifting operation easy, safe and fully effective in reducing the dan 'ger of injury to the gelatinous band. Again, in the machines of the kind to which the cylindrical type I shall confine my illustra-i my invention relates, the copy sheet is fed to the gelatinous impression or placed down in such manner as to afford a considerable surface contact between the sheet and the impression surface.

Since the adhesion between the copy sheet and the impression surface is considerable, the gelatinous impression surface is frequently damaged in removing the copy sheet therefrom. Another object of myinvention, therefore, is to overcome this objectionable feature and so to .apply the copy sheet to the impression surface as to reduce possible degree.

Further, the invention has for an object to provide means whereby, in making the copy, the

the area of'contact at any one time to the smallest copy sheet will have substantially not more than a line of contact with the gelatinous surface," wherefore I provide means to peel thecopy sheet r from the gelatinous. surface practically as fast as itis brought into contact therewith. 76

Furthenit is an object to provide means to apply andremove the copy sheetto and from the impression surface by a rolling action in one direction and one movement only; Further, it an object to provide a platen so roller in association with a plurality of paper gripping rollers so cooperatively disposed with ,each other that the gripping rollers will be held in yielding pressure contact with the platen. roller only while the copy sheet-is in place and is 8 6 being held by the rollers and applied to the im=- pression sheet.

Further, it is an object of the invention to pro; vide a machine in which the *platen roller is automatically separated'from the. cylinder or bed and from the gripping rollers by the time a new copy sheet is to be fed into place.

Further, it is an object to provide the ma.- chine with a paper stop cooperatively associated with the platen in such manner as to perform a dual function, namely the function of a front edge stop for the paper to position it properly there, and second to function as a deflector to cause the paper to pass from the platen outfeed gripping rollersin a proper direction and manner to be clearly discharged from the machine or onto a copy-sheet receiver. e Further, it is an object to provide means to applythe sheets to the "impression surface in such manner as to avoid wrinkles. Heretofore, in machines of the general kind to which the invention relates,the.paper to be printed very frequently wrinkles and for that reason uneven copies are obtained. This fact is also the cause ping between the platen and the single gripping roller-heretofore used.

Another object is to provide a machine in which the cylinder; may be continuously rotated in the same direction thereby causing the copy sheet to contact the impression sheet but once in. its

movement and enabling copy sheets tobe fed into the machine in rapid succession which is bound to make for clear, sharp-cut copies. This improvement over existing machines enables the passing of the blank after feeding into engagement with the impression band, printing the sheet and depositing the printed copy automatically on the receiving tray or apron without having to touch the paper and .with one forward movement. Existing machines with which I am familiar require a forward stroke to pass the blank paper and this forward stroke must be stopped in time so-that the rear edge of said blank paper will'not pass through the rollers, as

-a certain margin is required to eifect the return movement for the purpose of withdrawing the printed copy; therefore two movements are required in the'machines of. the prior art.

Further, it is an object to provide a machine in which provision is'made for the perfect regmade by the master-sheet.

istration of the copy sheets with the impressions Other objects will in part be obvious-and in part be pointed out hereinafter. To the attainment of "the aforesaid objects and ends, my invention consists 'in the, noveli features of construction and in the combination, connection and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described, and then pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a. side elevation of the preferred embodiment of my invention.

Figure '2 is a planthereof, the table plates and receiver being removed.-

Figure 3-is a vertical sectionon the line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the position of the parts when the platen roller has been raised and a blank-copy sheet has been put into place.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the position of the parts during the making of copy.

Figure 5 is a vertical cross section on the line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the spool holding ratchets and its associated spring clip. s

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail section of the ratchet mounting.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail section illustrating the securing means of the adjustable cam track. i

Figure 9 is a vertical cross section onthe line 99 of Figurel. j T

' Figure 10 is anenlarged detail part section and part elevation of the ratchet controlling means.

Figure 11 is an enlarged detail perspective view of one of the stop bearing elements used for the paper deflector.

. reception of one end of the spools.

' roller operating means shown in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a face view and part section of the parts shown in Figure 15 with the in the raised position.

Figure 1'1 is an enlarged detail section showing the spring releasing means in operation.

In the drawings", in which like numerals and letters of reference indicatelike parts in all of the figures, 1 represents the side frame members which'are provided (preferably) with sound deadening suction-gripping feet'2 of rubber, or other suitable material. A central cross member 3 is provided and has bearing apertures for the journals 45. of the drum shaft 44. Above the cross member 3 are cross bearing supports 4 for the feed roller unit.

Upper horizontal bars 5 of the side frame members are provided with grooves for the reception of the extensible table plates 7 and 8 onto which the copysheets are initially laid.

Suitably disposed tie rods and spacers 6 connect the side frame members 1 together in spaced relation and thereby cooperate with the same to provide a rigid frame or support for the bed and platen units.

Projecting upwardly from the horizontal bars 5 over the table plates are uprights 9 for supporting a guide rod' 10 on which is slidable, laterally of" they table, suitable side alignment guides 11 for the paper, the sleeves 12 of which guides have bearing on the rod 10 and are held in their respective positions by set screws 13 or any other suitable devices. 7

Mounted rigidly on the cross bars 4 and secured platen roller to the horizontal bars 5 in any suitable manner are vertical slide supports 14 having slideways 15 for the reception of the slides 19, the latter being held in the slideways by means of removable slide retaining plates 16. The plates 16 are provided with vertical slots 17 and 18 which properly align with one another and the purpose of which will later appear.

The slides 19 are provided with bearings 20 for the bearing ends 29 of the shafts 27 of the platen roller 28. The slides are also provided with studs 21 carrying anti-friction rollers 22 by means of which the slides are raised as will presently be clear. i

The slides 19 are continuously pulled downwardly by slide roller springs 23, the latter being provided with tensioning bolts 24 that pass through the cross bars 4 and tension adjusting nuts 25 as best indicated in Figures 1 and 5 of the drawings. The slides have connecting hooks each side of the machine and the arms of a pair are pressed together by an arm closing spring 34 asindicated. 36 and 38 designate the paper grip ping rollers, the shaft ends 35 and 37 thereof being rotatably mounted in thefree ends of the arms 32 and 33 respectively.

Associated in a'cooperative manner with the platen roller 28 and located above the paper gripping roller 38 is a combined paper stop and deflector member 39. This member, as will be clear from the drawings, when in one position rests against a back stop 43 and has its vertical surface 41 arranged to function as s. front-edge paper stop. The member 39 is pivoted at 40 and hose. weighted end so designed that it may be swung from its vertical position against the back stop 43 to an approximately horizontal position by gravity. The curved surface 42 of the combined whereby a fresh copy sheet may be inserted, it

will also move the member 39 upwardly to its vertical position, and conversely as the platen roller is lowered again gravity will cause the member 39 to follow the platen roller and assume an approximately horizontal position.

When .in the horizontal position the paper be- V ing fed upwardly between the platen roller 28 and the out-feed one-38 of the paper gripping rollers will engage the then under-surfaced 42-41 of the member 39 and bedeilected outwardly in a, substantially horizontal direction so that itmay falldownwardly onto the receiving apron or tray-'16 to be later more clearly ex-' plained.

Thednim shaft44 is the main operating shaft of the machine and has the reduced bearing ends 45 heretofore referred to which are kmnalled in the bearings provided in the member 3 of theyend frames '1. The drum is composed of end disks 46 which are provided with open;

, iiigs 4'7 for the purpose of reducing weight and also to enable access to be hadto of the drum.

48 designates a pair of ratchets, one for each spool that carries the impression or printing band 67. The drum also includes a periphery or cylindrical surface that is provided with an opening through which the printing band 67 may the interior pass into the drum for winding and unwinding on the respective spools.

The ratchets.- 48 have shafts 49 which are rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 50 in the end disks 46 of the drum. Thes'e stub shafts 49 of the ratchets 48 have squared ends 49:: for the reception of keys or gears by which the ratchets may be turned for winding purposes.

51 designates retainers for holding the ratchets 48 in their bearings, it being understood that the ratchets need not be removed in order to re- .with receiving slots 55 for the reception of the adjacent shaft ends of the spools 5'7 and 58 and these stop. bearing elements 54' are also provided with friction-spring retaining clips 56 similar in construction and function to the clips 53. A The ratchets 48 are engaged by double-acting pawls 59 that are pivoted at 60 to the ends 46 and are shifted by means, of bell crank shifting "levers 62 fulcrumed at 63 and having springpressed fingers 64 to engage in recesses 61 in the double-acting pawls.

The drum is provided on its peripherywith a suitable backing pad 66 of rubber, felt, or other suitable material. t

In order to reduce the area of contact between the gelatinous band 6'7 and the surface of the backing pad over the periphery of thedrum I provide a pair of arms 69 whichare pivotally mpunted within the drum in such manner that they may lie wholly within the circumference, 1

of the drumif desired. These arms 69 carry printing band spreader rollers 68 over which the gelatinous band is passed? the band also passing over idler rollers 82, the purpose of which will soon appear.

The pivoted arms 69 are provided with spring elements 70 that continuously tend to move the arms outwardly on their pivots and carry the spreader rollers 68 froma position within the circumference of the drum to a position outside of the same, thereby taking the gelatinous bandand lifting it out of contact with the drum throughout a large portion of the length of the periphery of,the drum. The amount. of band left in contact with the drum when the arms 69 are swung out will, of course, depend in a measure'cn the length of those arms. In practice the arms will be made of such length as to lift the band from'the drum throughout more than three-quarters the circumferential length of the drums periphery.

In order automatically 69 when the tension on the band is slacked I may provide springs 70 which tend continuously to move the arms to their outward'positionsj In the preferred embodiment of the invention it will be observed that the springs 23 continuously tend to keep the platen roller in contact with the drum. As the platen roller? must, however, be raised for the insertion of the copy sheets, I prefer to accomplish. that movement automatically by providing the drum with adto throw out the arms justable platen roller raising and holding-up cam plates 71, 72, 73 mounted onthe outside of the drum heads or end disks 46 by means of suitable set screws 74 and retainer guides '75.- The cam plates 72 and 73 may be adjusted -angularly around the axis of the drum so asto reduce or increase the effective operative 'areas of the printing surface. When the cam plates are extended to their maximum degree the printing act occurs through only a short are of the drum, whereas when these cams are contracted to their maximum degree the printing arc is correspondingly increased to its full capacity. v

76 designates the workreceiving apron or tray. which is provided with a lower stop '77 and at the upper end carries a sheet directing bafile '78 having an inwardly bent end 79 to form a shoulder with the apron '76. The apron is supported on certain of the rods 6 by means of slotted ears 80, An operating handle 81 is attached to an end of the main shaft by means of which this shaft may be turned to impart rotation to the drum, it being understood that the drum heads 46 are non-rotatably mounted on the shaft. 44.

It should be understood that in applying the drum to lay the master sheet. Thus, the master sheet is. laid in full surface contact with the impression sheet or band where it is permitted to remainfor such length of time as necessary to enable the impression sheet to take on the impres- 'sion of the required density. The master sheet is then removed by hand.

So far'as described the manner in which the preferred embodiment of theinvention operates is as follows: Assume that the master sheet has been laid over the gelatinous surface so that the gelatinous surface may take its impression there- 5 from and the master sheet has then been removed.

Assume the parts are nowin the position illustrated in Figure 3. At this time the platen roller will have been raisedby the cams 71, 72, 73 to lie above the rollers 36, 38, which rollers, of course, are held toward one another by the spring 34, suitable stops 122 being provided if desired to prevent the rollers 36 and 37 from coming ontirely into contact with each other when the platen roller is in its uppermost position. g

A paper sheet is now fed along the table until its front edge rests against the stop surface 41 of the member 49. The handle 81 is then turned in a clockwise direction to cause-the drum to turn in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3 which brings the cams .71, 72,.73 from under the pins22 and permits the springs 23 to lower the platen roller. The lowering of the platen roller presses the paper sheet downwardly between the rollers 36 and 38, which rollers hold the sheet along the platen' roller in such manner that the sheet contacts the gelatinous surface in aline contact only and permits the combined stop and guide unit to fall so as to deflect the paper toward the tray 76. As the paper leaves the platen unit, after impresmoval therefrom manually.

It will be noted that by reasonof the adjustable side guides for the paper and the front stop, complete or exact registration of the copy sheet with the master sheets impression on the gelatinous surface is obtained.

The second embodiment of my invention is illustrated in Figure 14 to Figure 17 inclusive, by reference to which it will be seen the bed unit is the'stationary one and the platen unit is the movable one. M

The bed unit comprises'a base which consists of end frames 83 between which is a cylindrical segment ,plate 84, cross braces 85 being provided to connect the parts 83 and 84 rigidly together as one.

The construction of the spools, their bearings, ratchet and pawl mechanism, etc., etc., may be the same as in the first embodiment of my invention as may also be the impression 'band spreader, etc. Therefore, such parts of the bed unit used in the second embodiment of my invention as are or may be of the same construction as those-in the first embodiment, bear the same reference numbers in the figures illustrating the second embodiment and a description thereof need not be here repeated.

The platen .unit, however, differs somewhat from that of the first embodiment of my invention and will now be described.

Upright bars 86 are pivoted to the side plates 83 of the frame as at 87 and have their upper ends bent toward each other at right angles as at 88 to carry posts 89 on which are springs 103. Connecting or tie bars 91 or 102 are also mounted on the posts 89 as shown. The posts 89 are provided with threaded nuts constituting stops which may be, for ornamental purposes, of spherical form if desired.

The upright bars 86 are provided with removable plates 92 which cover slideways 93 in those bars, in which slides 98 are held to operate.

0n the plates 92 are mounted spring latches 94 secured at 95 and having releasing fingersv 96, these latches being adapted to have their sion, it falls upon the receiver and is held for relatching fingers 120 engaged with apertures 121 in the slides 98 at times.

The end frames 83 also carry latch releasing elements 97 which are adjustablymounted so that their positions'may-be changed at will and which, when the fingers 96 are brought into engagement with the same will serve toirelease the latch fingers 120 from the apertures 121 so as to permit the springs 103 to function to elevate the slides 98 and consequently the platen roller 100 which hasits shaft ends journalled in bearings 99 in the slides 98. The slides have angled ends 101 apertured to fit on the posts 89, the springs 103 being located between those ends and the cross bar 102.

Paper gripping roller carrying arms 104 and 105 are pivoted at 108 to adjustable plates 109 which are adjustably mounted on the upright bars 86. The arms 104 and 105 carry paper gripping rollers 106 and 107 and are link-connected at 110 with the axle 112 of the platen and also pivoted at 111 to the arms 104, 105.

A combined paper stop and deflector element 113 is pivotally mounted on the arms 105 and a 'back stop 114 on those arms functions for the same purpose as the corresponding back stop in the first embodiment of my invention.

A table 115 is secured by arms 116 .to the upright bars 86 while a receiver 117 is secured to the uprights 86 by arms 118 for the reception of the copied sheet. The table 115 carries laterally adjustable sheet side guides 119 between which the master sheet is fed to the impression band and thereafter the copy sheets are likewise fed to the impression band.

In operating the present embodiment of my invention with the platen roller in the elevated position shown in Figure 16, a master sheet is placed on the table 115 and side guides 119 are adjusted with respect thereto. The sheet is then advanced until its front edge engages the element 113, whereupon the bar 91 is pressed down, thereby pressing down the slides 98 until the latch fingers 120 engage in the apertures 121 of the latch bars 98-and hold the platen roller between the gripping rollers 106, 107. This downward movement causes the rollers 106 and 107 to press against the platen roller 100 because of the link connections 110, and therebyenables the paper to be fed through the platen unit in the manner to lay the master sheet in full surface contact on the impression band, after which it is stripped by hand from the impression band. The bar 91 serves as a handle by which the platen unit may be'swung on its pivotal axis 87 from a starting position to a finishing position, during which time the sheet is rolled over the traversed surface of the gelatinous band and leaves its impression thereon. As soon as the platen unit has been moved to the position where the adjustable stops 97 are engaged by the release fingers 96, the latches 94 will be released from the slides 98 which will permit the springs 103 to function to raise the platen roller and spread the gripping rollers apart, thereby positioning them ready for the reception of the next sheet (copy sheet). The

roller 100, the links being pivoted to the axle.

platen unit is then swung back to the initial position and a copy sheet is placed between the side guides 119 and into contactwith the stop 113, whereupon the cycle of operations is repeated for the copy sheet and the copy sheet is discharged onto the paper receiver 117.

The link arrangement 110 illustrated in the second embodiment of my invention is also adapted. for use in the first embodiment if so desired as will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Pivoted on a shaft 123 journalled in the heads of the drum is a moistening device consisting of radial arms 124 carrying a trough-like member, 125 in which is secured a strip of felt 126 or other suitable material. ,The length of the arms 124 is such that by turningthe shaft 123 and swinging the arms laterally the felt 126 may be brought into contact with the gelatinous band at;

a point adjacent the fixedly rotated rollers 82,

and thus when the felt 126 is moistened it may be used to apply moisture to the gelatinous surface regardless of the amount of the band wound upon the take-up spools.' When not in use the 'moistening device is positioned as indicated in Figures 3 and 4.

Attention is called to the fact that where the platen roller operates always under the same pressure, the later made copies are-of a paler and more indistinct nature than the earlier ones (assuming that the pressure has been adjusted for a By providing the force the platen roller toward the bed, it is possible, by increasing the tension from time to time as copies are being made, to obtain impressions of an almost uniform degree over a very much larger number of copies thanhave been hereto-' fore possible.

The provision which I have made for perfect registration (side guides on the table and front edge stop element) make it possible to place the master sheet on the impressionpad or'surface in a most convenient manner, and it is apparent that precise registration is thereby assured for the following blank or copy sheets which it is intended to print. v

It will also have been noticed from-the foregoing that my machine is-extremely simple in construction and operation. Dependable duplication with least effort and most economy is had since the impression band is protected in the course of operation by the least possible contact (lne contact) with the blank sheets to be printed It is also to be noted that by virtue of the adjustable cams-71, '12, '73 only such length of the impression band as is actually to beused in printing is permitted to be contacted by the platen roller, thus protecting the impression band from undue wear. In other words, the platen roller is held clear of the impression bind throughout all its length except that portion on which the impression to be used is located.

When I have heretofore referred to the impression band as a gelatinous band and when I shall for convenience of description do likewise in the following claims, I wish it understood that the word"gelatinous" is not to be construed as a word of limitation since bands of other suitable material may be used as substitutes, or equivalents, the composition of the bands per se not being of the essence of the present invention.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the construction, operation and advantages of my invention will be clear to those skilled in the art to which it relates.

What I claim is: a

with a bed, a gelatinous band sustained thereon, of a platen unit comprising a support, a platen roller, means mounting said roller, on said support for movement toward and from the bed, paper gripping rollers located at the front and back of moving said platen rollerawayfrom the bed at the platen roller, means mounting said paper gripping rollers on said support for cooperation with said platen roller whereby the paper will pass over the gripping rollers and under the platen roller, means to move said platen roller mounting means to remove and restore said platen roller from and to cooperation with said bed, and means in virtue of which relative movement may be imparted between said bed and said platen unit to cause said platen roller to traverse said gelatinous band for the purpose described.

2. In duplicating apparatus, the combination with a bed, a gelatinous. band sustained thereon, of a platen unit comprising a support, a platen roller, means mounting said roller on, said supportfor movement toward and from the bed,

paper gripping rollers located at the frontand back of the platen roller, means mounting said paper gripping rollers on said'support for cooperation with said platen roller whereby the paper will pass over the gripping rollers and underthe platen roller, means to move said platen roller mounting means to remove and restore said platen roller fromandto cooperation with said bed, and means in virtue of which relative movement may be imparted between said bed and said platen unit to cause said platen roller to travel back and forth over said gelatinous surface for the purpose described. I I

3. Induplicating machines, a stationarily mounted cylindrical bed, means to sustaina gelatinous band on said bed, a platen roller, means mounting said roller to move radially of the bed,

means tending to press said roller. to said bed, means by which relativelmovement may be set up between said platen t and bed to cause said platen roller to roll over the periphery of the bed, and means governed by such movement for moving said platen roller away from the bed at times for the purposes described. 4. In duplicating machines, a stationarily mounted cylindrical bed, means to sustain a gelatinous band on 'said be d,.a platen roller, means mounting said roller to move radially. of'the-bed, means tending to'press said roller to said bed, means by which relative movement may be set up between said platen unit and bed to cause said platen roller to roll over the periphery of the bed, and means governed by such movement-for times for the-purposes described, said governed means including a camming element on said bed and an engaging element on said roller mounting means.

5. In duplicating machines, a cylindrical bed, means to sustain a gelatinous band on said bed, a platen roller, means mounting said roller to move radially of the bed, means tending to press said roller to said bed, means by which relative movement may be set up between said platen unit and bed .to cause said platen roller to roll over the periphery of the bed, and means governed by such movement for moving said platen roller away from the bed at times for the-purposes described, paper gripping rollers cooperatively asso- 1 0 ciated with said platen roller for holding a copy sheet around the same, means mounting said gripping rollers in position whereby said platen roller may be moved between said gripping rollers, or to a position beyond the same, accordingly as said platen roller mounting means is moved in' one direction or the other.

6. In duplicating machines, a cylindrical bed, means to sustain a gelatinous band on said bed,

a platen roller, means mounting saidroller to move radially of the bed, means tending to press said roller to said bed, means by which relative movement may be set up between said platen unit and bed to cause said platen roller to roll over the periphery of the bed, and means governed by such movement for moving said platen roller away from the bed at times for the purposes described, said governed means including a camming element onsaid bed and an engaging element on said roller mounting means, paper gripping rollers cooperatively associated *with said platen roller -for holding a copy. sheet around the same, means mounting said gripping rollers in position whereby said platen roller may be moved between said gripping rollers, or to a position beyond the same, accordingly as said platen roller mounting means is moved in one direction or the other.

7. In duplicating machines, a cylindrical bed, means to sustain agelatinousband on said bed, a platen roller, means mounting said roller to move radially of the bed, means tending to press said roller to said bed, means by which relative movement may be set up between said platen unit and bed to cause said platen roller to roll over the periphery of the bed, and means governed by such movementfor moving said platen roller away from the bed at times for the purposes de-' scribed, a pair of spaced apart gripping rollers,

and means for pressing said gripping rollers yieldably against said platen roller when said platen roller is located between said gripping rollers.

8. In duplicating machines, a cylindrical bed, means to sustain a gelatinous band on saidbed, a platen roller, means mounting said roller to move radially of the bed, means tendingto press said roller'to said bed, means by which relative movement may be set up between said platen unit and bed to cause said platen roller toiroll over the periphery of the bed, and means governed,

by such movement for moving said platen roller away from the bed attimes forthe purposes described, said governed means including a camming element on -said bedand an engaging element on said roller mounting means, apair of said roller to said bed; means, by which relative movement may be set up between said platen unit and bed to cause said platen roller to roll over the periphery of the bed, and means governed by such movement for moving said platen roller away from the bed at times for the purposes described,

a pair of spaced apart gripping rollers, and means for pressing said gripping rollers yieldably against said platen roller when said platen roller is located between said gripping rollers, said pressing means including pivoted roller carrying arms and springs associated therewith to tend to close the arms together.

10. In duplicating machines, a cylindrical bed,

means to sustain a gelatinous band on said bed,'

a platen. roller, means mounting said roller to move radially of the bed, means tending to press said roller to said bed, means by which relative vement' may be set up between said platen t and bed to cause said. platen roller to. roll overthe periphery of the bed, and means governed by such movement for moving said platen said platen roller is located between said griproller away from the bed at times for the purposes described, said governed means including a. camming element on said'bed and an engaging element on said rolle'r mounting means, a pair of spaced apart gripping rollers, and means for pressing said gripping rollers yieldably against said platen roller-when said platen roller is 101 cated between said gripp rollers, said pressing means including pivoted roller carrying arms and springs associated therewith to tend to close 'thearms together.

11. In duplicating'machines, a cylindrical bed, means to sustain a gelatinous band on said bed, a platen roller, meansmounting saidroller to move radially of the bed means tending to press said roller to said bed, means by which relative movement may be set up between said platen ping rollers, and a paper stop elem ent mounted on the arm which carries the out-feed one of said pressing rollers. q

12. In duplicating machines, a cylin cal bed, means to sustain a gelatinous band onflsaid bed, a platen roller, means mounting said roller to A move radially of the bed, means tending topress said roller to said bed, means by which relative movement may be set up between said platen unit and, bed to cause said platen roller to roll over the periphery of the bed, and means governed by such movement for moving said platen roller away from the-bed at times for the purposes described, saidgoverned means including a camming element on said bed and an engaging element on said roller mounting means,fa pair of spaced apart gripping rollers and means for pressing said gripping rollers 'yieldabLv against said platen roller when said platen roller is lo cated between said gripping rollers, and a paper stop element mounted on the arm which carries the out-feed one of said pressingrollers,

13. In duplicating machines wherein is provided a bed unit and a platen unit? saidplaten unit comprising a carrying frame which includes side plates having slideways, slides movable in said slideways, a platen roller carried by said slides, said slides in their movement functioningto carry said roller toward and from the bed unit, a pair 01' paper gripping rollers one at each 130 side of the platen roller, means moving said. gripping rollers toward said platen roller to hold the paper in contact therewith when said platen roller is in proximity to said gripping rollers, said platen roller being arranged. to be elevated above said gripping rollers of paper sheets. 1'4. In duplicating machines wherein is provided a bed unit and a platen unit; said platen unit comprising a carrying frame which includes side plates having slideways, slides movable in said slideways, means continuously tending to move said slides in one direction, said slides in their movement functioning to carry said roller toward and from thebed unit, a pair of paper gripping rollers one at each side-of the platen roller, means moving said gripping rollers toward said platen roller to hold the paper in contact therewith when said platen roller is in proximity to said 81191 818 rollers, said platen roller being at times for the insertion arranged to be elevated above said gripping rollers at times for the insertion of paper sheets.

15. In duplicating machines wherein is provided a bed unit and a platen unit; said platen .unit comprising a carrying frame which includes side plates having slideways, slides movable in said slideways, a platen roller carried by said slides, said slides in their movement functioning to carry said roller toward and from the bed unit comprising. a carrying frame which -includes side plates having slideways, slides movable in said slideways, a platen roller carried by said slides, said slides in their movement func-.

tioning to carry said roller toward and from the ,jbed unit, a pair of paper gripping rollers one at each side of the platen roller, means moving said gripping rollers toward said platen roller to hold thepaper -in contact therewith when said platen roller is in proximity to said gripping rollers, said platen roller being arranged to be elevated above said gripping rollers at times for; the insertion of paper sheets, and a combined paper stop'and paper deflector element associated with said rollers and serving, when in one position, to act as a stop gauge for the fore edge of the inserted paper sheet to be printed, and serving, when in another position, as a means to defiect the sheet from the gripping roller on the out-feed side for discharging purposes.

1'7. In duplicatingmachines wherein. is provideda bed unit and a platen unit; said platen I unit comprising a platen roller, paper gripping rollers cooperating with said platen roller, means for mounting said platen roller for movement in .a general plane toward and from the bed, means for mounting said gripping rollers for movement from and toward-one another transversely-of said general plane, and means for moving said platen roller in its general plane into and out 'of cooperative position with respect to said gripping rollers. j

18. In duplicating machines wherein is provided a bed unit and a platen unit; said platen unit comprising a platen roller, paper gripping rollers 60- erative position with respect to said gripping rollers, and a combined paper stop and deflector element mounted adjacent said platen roller to overlie the out-feed one of the gripping rollers and be engaged by said platen roller for the purposes described.

19. In duplicating machines wherein is provided a fixed unit and a movable unit associated therewith; one of said units comprising a bed,

a printingband overlying said bed, spools for said band, means by which said spools may-be turned to shift said band, ratchets cooperatingwith said spools',"'double-acting pawls cooperating with said ratchets, and pawl shifting and holding elements cooperating with said pawls, said pawl shifting and holding elements having spring-pressed plungers for yieldably holding the engagement with their respective ratchwith said'ratchets, and pawl shifting and holding elements cooperating with said pawls, said ratchets having shafts journalled -in bearings in said bed and havingslotted sockets, said spools having shaft ends to fit into saidsockets, and spring clips on said shafts to close, the slots and retain said shaft ends in place.

21. In duplicating machines wherein is provided a fixed unit and a movable unit associated therewith; one of saidunits comprising a bed,

a printing band overlying saidbed, spools for said band, means by which said spools may be turned to shift said band, ratchets cooperating having shaft ends to fit into said sockets, and

spring clips on said shafts to close the slots and retain said shaft endsin place, and means. re-

taining said ratchets in place on the bed during placement and removal of the spools.

22. In duplicating machines wherein'is proa printing band overlying said bed, spools for said band, means by which said spools may be tumedto shift said band, ratchets cooperating .with said spools, double-acting pawls coo eratingwith said ratchets,- and pawl shifting an holding elementscooperating with said pawls, said bed being of cylindrical form and said band overlying the periphery thereof, said spools being located within the cylinder, the periphery of said cylinder being open in part to permit said band to pass to and from said spools, and spreaders carried by said band within the cylinder, means to mount saidspreaders whereby they may be projected outwardly to lift the band clear of the periphery of the cylinder for thet purposes de-.

scribed. v

23. In duplicating, machines wherein is pro-.

vided a fixed unit and a movable unit associated therewith; one of said units comprising a bed, a printing bandoverlying said bed, spools" for said band, means by'which said spools may be.

turned" to shift said band, ratchets cooperating with said spools, double-acting pawls cooperating with said ratchets, and pawl shifting and holding elements cooperating with said pawls, said bed being of cylindrical form and said band overlying the periphery thereof, said spools being located within the cylinder, the periphery of said cylinder being open in part to permit said band.

24. In duplicating-machines wherein .is provided a ed unit and a movable unit associated therewith; one of saidunits comprising a bed,

' a printing band overlying said bed spools for overlying the periphery thereof, said spools I being located within the cylinder, the periphery of said cylinder being open in part to permit said band to pass to and from said spools, and spreaders carried by said band within the cylinder. means swingably mounting said spreaders in said bed, said spreaders being adapted to be swung out beyond the periphery of said bed.

25. In duplicating machines wherein isprovided a fixed unit and a movable unit associated therewith; one of said units comprising a bed, a

- printing band overlying said bed, spools forsaid lindrical form and said band overlying the-periphband, means by which said spools may be turned to shift said band,.ratchrts cooperating with said spools, double-acting pawls cooperating with said .ratchetsand pawl shifting and holding elements cooperating with said pawls, said bed being of cyery thereof. said spools being located within the cylinder, theperiphery of said cylinder be ng open in part to permit said band to pass to and from said spools, and spreaders carried by said band within the cylinder, means swingably mounting said spreaders in said bed, said spreaders being adapted to be swung outbeyond' theperiphery of said bed, and meanscontinuously.

tending to swing said spreaders outwardly for the purposes specified.

26. In duplicating machines. a stationarily lo-' cated bed, means to sustain an impression surface on said bed, a platen roller, means mounting said roller to move toward and from the plane of the bed, means tending to press said roller to said impression surface, means by which relative movement may be set up between said platen unit and said bed to cause'said platen roller to roll over the surface of the impression surface on the bed, and means whereby said platen roller pressing means may be rendered operative only over that much of the'area of the impression surface as contains the impression to be printed.

27. In duplicating machines, a stationarily located bed, means to sustain an impression surface on said bed. a platen roller,,means mountingsaid roller .to' move toward and fromthe plane of the bed. means tending to press said roller to said impression surface, means by which relative mbvement may be set, up between said platen unit aid said bed to cause said platen roller to roll over the surface of the impression surface on the bed, and means whereby said -platen roller pressing means may be rendered operative only over that much of the area of the impression surface as contains the impression tobe printed. and means for effecting positive registration inplacing the master sheet and succeeding copy sheets on the impression surface.

28. In duplicating machines, a bed.- means to sustain a gelatinous band on said bed, a platen roller, means mounting said roller to move toward and from the bed, means tending to press unit and bed to cause said platen roller to roll over the surface pf the bed, and means governed by such movme pro; moving said platen roller 'when desired.

away from the bed at times for the purposes described, and means for adjusting thedegree of pressure applied by said means tending to press.

29. In duplicating machines wherein is provided a bed on which an impression band is located and spools on which said band is adapted to be wound; the combination with the aforesaid 31. In duplicating machines wherein is provided a bed onwhich an impression band is located and spools on which said band is adapted to be wound; the combination with the aforesaid structure, of means for applying moisture to'the gelatinous surface adjacent to either spool, said moistening means comprising a holder, an applicator strip adapted to absorb moisture carried by said holder, and pivoted arms for supporting the holder, said arms being adapted to be swung on their pivots to bring said applicator strip into contact withth'e gelatinous band adjacent either spool accordingly as said arm is swung in one direction or the other.

. 32. In duplicating machines wherein is provided a drum on the periphery of which is held a gelatinous band and spools located within the drum on which the ends of the band are wound; the combination with'the aforesaid structure, of a moistening device'located within the drum be; tween the spools and adapted to apply moisture to the gelatinous band adjacent either spool as desired, said m oistening means comprising a holder, an,applicator strip adapted to absorb moisture carried by said holder, and pivoted arms for supporting the holder, said arms being adapted to be swung on their (pivots to bring said applicator strip into contact with the gelatinous band 33. In duplicating apparatus, a bed unit, a

platen'rollenand means co-operating with the platen roller for feeding and removing copy sheeis to and from said bed unit with a progressive line'contact, said co-operating means com/- prising rollers disposed on opposite sides of said platen roller and co-operating therewith to advance the sheets between them and the platen roller.

34. In duplicating apparatus, a bed unit, a platen roller, and means co-operating with the platen roller, for feeding and removing copy sheets to and from said bed unit with a progressive line contact, said co-operating means comsaid bed unit.

35. In duplicating apparatus, "a bed unit, a

platen roller, and means co-operating with the I platen roller for feeding and removing copy sheets to and from said bed unit with a progressive line contact, said co-operating means comprising rollers' disposed on opposite sides of said roller, and means including resllient means for displacing said platenroller bodily toward and away from said bed unit.

36. In duplicating apparatus, a bed unit, a platen roller, and means ,co-operating with the platen roller for feeding and removing copy sheets to and from said bed unit with a progressive line contact, said co-operating means comprising rollers disposed on opposite sides of said platen roller and co-operating therewith to advance the sheets between them and the platen roller, and means including a cam for displacing said platen roller bodily toward and away from said bed unit.

37. In duplicating appa platen roller, means 101'- causing relative movement between said bed unit and roller, an adjustable camfor displacing said platen roller bodily toward and away from said bed unit, said cam being adjustable to determine ma a bed unit; a; J

said platen p the time in each operation said platen roller israised out of operative relationship with said bed unit, and rollers adjacent the platen roll for guiding paper to be duplicated part of the way around the platen roll.

LUDWIG w. WAGNER. 

